The “Edicion Limitada” concept was first introduced by Habanos SA in 2001. As the name suggests, only a limited number of cigars are produced and distributed worldwide. The totally handmade cigars represent a vitola (size) not currently found within the standard range of the brand and carries a wrapper leaf which has been aged for 3 years (6-9 months is the usual ageing period). Only the finest Torcedors (cigar rollers) are commissioned to produce these cigars.

Habanos SA developed two more unique features for Edicion Limitada. The first was that they were only ever to be made in their five leading, totally hand made brands: Cohiba, Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, Partagas and Hoyo de Monterrey . And the second was that in every release the cigars were to be a different size from any other standard cigar in the brand’s range. At the same time it was decided that the cigars should carry a second band underneath usual one identifying that it was a Limited Edition cigar. For 2004, Habanos SA has produced 3 Edicion Limitada:

• Cohiba Sublimes - (6½ inches(164mm) x 54 ring gauge)

• Romeo y Julieta Hermoso No.2 - (6 1/8 inches(157mm) x 48 ring gauge)

• Partagas Serie D No.1 - (6 ¾ inches (170mm) x 50 ring gauge)

Perhaps the most exciting news for 2004 is the announcement by Habanos S.A. of a new vitola (size) to be added to the Montecristo range. The new vitola is called the Edmundo and will measure 5 3/8 inches (135mm) long with a 52 ring gauge. Presented in SBN (Semi Boite Nature) boxes of 25, the Edmundo will be the first addition to the standard range since the early 1970's. The world launch will take place in Paris on 13th May 2004 and Hunters & Frankau will be holding a tasting of the Montecristo Edmundo during the following week in London.

Boxes of Cuban cigars are now being shipped with a new, updated Warranty Seal.

• In a move aimed at making it much more difficult for counterfeiters to package and sell fake Cuban cigars, Habanos S.A., the company which is responsible for the export of Cuban cigars, has modified the look (both visible and invisible) of the familiar green and white "Cuban Government Warranty Seal of 1912" which adorns all legitimate boxes of Havana cigars.

• Historically, the Warranty Seal has been one of the most visible methods of determining whether Cuban cigars are the real deal... or not.

• Unfortunately, with the advent of high resolution scanning technology, knocking off fake Warranty Seals has been a real snap. Just scan a Warranty Seal, take it down to your local print shopt and bingo!... you've got a stack of perfect looking Seals. As a result, the venerable Warranty Seal has been nothing more than a box ornament, and certainly not a guarantee that the cigars were genuine, as was originally intended.

• Worldwide retailers and consumers alike have been insisting Habanos take steps to stem the increasing blight of counterfeit Cuban cigars.

• The management of Habanos knows bogus cigars cut into their profits, not to mention alienating smokers who quickly become disillusioned with expensive Cuban cigars that taste unremarkable and don't live up to their lofty expectations.

• The new Cuban Government Warranty Seal may change all that.

Design Changes

• Even though more than 95% of the Warranty Seal is essentially the same, every square millimeter of the artwork has been re-engraved and/or re-drawn much more finely and professionally, yet without altering the overall traditional look of the Seal.

• The borders, background and central area of the Seal are nearly identical in detail and form, and the Cuban Republic Coat of Arms (or Shield), in the oval on the left side of the Seal, is virtually the same too.

• One piece of art has changed... almost unnoticeable are the revisions to the Tobacco Field Vignette which appears in the oval on the right side of the Seal.

• That scene, depicting field workers among rows of tobacco plants, with a shack and palm trees on hills in the background, remains similar to the previous versions... however, upon close inspection, you will find that it has been completely redrawn.

• We can clearly count only five individual field workers amongst the tobacco plants, with 12 palm trees on higher ground in the background.

• FYI, the 1950s version Seals depicted nine field workers; and the most recent (1990s version) also showed nine workers (i.e., when their printing was sharp enough to make them out.)

DENOMINATION OF ORIGIN

Since 1994 all boxes have carried the Habanos seal as a mark of the cigars' denomination of origin. No box of Habanos is shipped from Cuba without it.

MARKS ON THE BOTTOM OF THE BOX

Since 1960, the bottoms of all Habano boxes have been hot-stamped with the words "Hecho en Cuba". Before that time, it was written in English "Made in Cuba". Since 1994, the bottoms of the boxes have also been hot-stamped with "Habanos S.A." The name of the company that distributes Habanos worldwide. From 1985 to 1994, the name was "Cubatabaco".

Totalmente a Mano - Tripa Larga

Since 1989 boxes of classic, long-filler Habanos have been hot-stamped with the words "Totalmente a Mano" (Totally by Hand).

Totalmente a Mano - Tripa Corta

• Boxes of short-filler Habanos are also hot-stamped with the words Totalmente a Mano (Totally by Hand) and since 2002 ink stamped with

  the letters TC (Tripa Corta - Short Filler).

Mecanizado

• Boxes of machine-made Habanos (Mecanizado) are stamped only with the words "Habanos S.A."and "Hecho en Cuba".